Both the Connecticut Huskies and Kentucky Wildcats sat out last year's NCAA Basketball Tournament. Kentucky failed to follow-up on their quest for two straight championships and the Huskies were banned due to academic issues. Neither team was considered a future title contender. Well Kentucky and Connecticut spent the entire tournament proving everyone wrong and will now meet up in the title game looking to become the next NCAA champion.
Kentucky started the season off as contenders. Once again, they had a roster filled with freshman and sophomores who were either top recruits or McDonalds All-Americans. They were ranked No. 1 overall, but inexperience caused some ugly losses and Kentucky only managed a No. 8 seed in the tournament. Connecticut was not a favorite to do much at all this season. They had multiple losses to conference opponents, finishing third in the American Athletic Conference. But they next gave up in the tournament and senior Shabazz Napier carried them to a possible championship.
Napier opted to remain at Connecticut despite the one-year ban from the postseason. The senior is the leader of the Huskies and is ready to end his college career on a high note. His experience could pay out big time for Connecticut against Kentucky who have a starting lineup of all freshman. Ryan Boatright will lead the effort on defense, ready to take on the size of the Wildcats.
If the game comes down to the final minutes, Kentucky will emerge as the favorites. The team once again won off a key last season shot. Aaron Harrison rattled off a 36-footer with just 5.7 seconds left to play in order to get the win over Wisconsin in the Final Four. He made an identical shot against Michigan that earned Kentucky a trip to the Final Four. He also hit on against Louisville with 39 seconds left to play. Harrison will not be afraid to take the shot if need be.
Both Connecticut and Kentucky have positive history in the tournament. They combine to have won the last six of 18 titles in this tournament. Kentucky is just two years removed from their last win. Connecticut is not far behind. The game could come down to the coaching experience. Kevin Ollie is in just his second year with the Huskies and is certainly handling himself well in their first tournament with him at head coach. John Calipari is no stranger to reaching the championship game. The Wildcats have an 11-game win streak in the tournament and would like to finish that out with another title.
